FAA Approves UPS to Fly Delivery Drones Longer Distances

The Federal Aviation Administration has given UPS Flight Forward, uAvionix and Phoenix Air approval to operate drones beyond visual line of sight. The approvals were issued following a request for public comment on the applications. 

The approvals allow UPS Flight Forward, a subsidiary of UPS focused on drone delivery, to use the Matternet M2 Drone System for small package delivery and uAvionix to use its Rapace unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and Vantis Network to test its detect and avoid technology.

Phoenix Air Unmanned was also given authorization to operate its SwissDrones SVO 50 V2 drones for aerial work including photography, surveying, inspections and patrols. 

A fourth company also requested approval, but the agency is still reviewing that request. 

Rather than set aside separate airspace exclusively for drone operations, the FAA is working to develop standard rules to integrate drones into the National Airspace System.